Large Resarch Programs

HOPE is one of the ‘Large research programs’ selected by Bordeaux University following a two-step international evaluation. The program has been allocated 4 million euros of funding over an 8-year period.

HOPE: Understanding Human Well-being and BehaviOr for better Policies & SociEties

HOPE is an interdisciplinary program whose objective is to study the determinants of human behaviors and well- being in the context of major contemporary phenomena (terrorism, pandemics, global warming, migration crisis, inequalities,…). HOPE also aims at evidence-based research reflecting on the role of public policies in changing behavior and well-being, as well as on the optimal design of such policies when behavioral responses to public interventions are taken into account.

Societal Impact

Given the nature of its research and the relevance of its empirical tools, the research program HOPE aims to contribute to societal debates and provide fruitful interaction with policy makers, the medias and the civil society at large. The ambition is to bring social and human sciences (SHS) back at the center of the public debate while increasing the influence of Bordeaux’s research in SHS through an original interdisciplinary articulation.

1. Insecurity and risks related to terrorism, crime and conflicts
This WP focuses on the effects of insecurity on risk perception, individual well-being (life satisfaction, mental health, fear, anxiety) and behaviors (political choice, lifestyles, economic behaviors, …).

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2. Climate change and behaviors
This WP proposes a series of analyses related to behaviors linked to climate change and environmental policies based on an understanding of perceptions, environmental awareness and the role of social or legal norms.

Halfpoint – Adobe Stock


3. Inequalities, middle classes and socialization/marginalization processes
This WP studies social division and mistrust as observed in France or Latin America, focusing on the divide between objective vs. subjective positions of ‘lower’ middle class citizens; processes of radicalization and marginalization; emotional regulation from the earliest age in relation to inequalities in living standards.

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4. Integration of migrants and behavior of natives
This WP studies the context of current and future migration crises (in particular due to global warming->WP2, or conflicts -> WP1) while addressing the role of different actors for the integration of migrants in Europe, and the behavioral reactions of natives according to the flows and local migration management.

Bumann – Adobe Stock


5. Pandemic threats, wellbeing and new work organizations
This WP analyzes the way in which pandemic crises and the resulting reorganizations, particularly in terms of work modes, impact on the mental well-being and individual behaviors, including the takeup of health care, political behavior and compliance to health policies.

DisobeyArt – Adobe Stock

The HOPE team mobilizes a set of empirical methods in economics, psychology, public health, anthropology, management, law and sociology.

It proposes research based on empirical tools and data (quantitative, qualitative, experimental, administrative) but also, in a prospective and original way, a convergence between disciplines that feeds on different levels of analysis: from inferences based on econometrics and large databases to more targeted randomized experiments allowing the identification of causal behavioral mechanisms and the mediating role of emotions and perception in the face of various threats (terrorism, pandemics, climate, etc.) or policies.

Research & data collection:

  • Quantitative, qualitative and experimental research.
  • Conduct of quantitative, qualitative and experimental surveys in psychology, behavioral economics and public health.

Scientific exchanges and diffusion:

  • A seminar series with research presentations followed by multidisciplinary cross-disciplinary discussions to compare concepts, methods and societal impact.
  •   Two annual workshops.
  •   Interaction with international researchers through an incoming and outgoing visiting program.
  • Research diffusion though participation to international conferences.

Diffusion and societal impact:

  •   policy recommendations for local and national public policies,
  •   communication to the civil society (scientific mediation, local and national media, …)

                    

   

     

France : Paris 1 Sorbonne, Centre d’Economie de la Sorbonne, Paris School of Economics, Aix Marseille School of Economics, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (PPA), Université de Grenoble Alpes, Université Paris- Dauphine (PSL), Université de Nîmes – UPR CHROME, Association Pour l’Environnement et la Sécurité en Aquitaine (APESA), Université Cergy-Pontoise.

Europe : Göteborg university, London School of Economics, Università degli Studi di Firenze, UNU-WIDER, Catolica University Lisbon, University of Bern, IZA Bonn, CESIfo Munich, ZEW Mannheim, ESRI Dublin, LISER Luxemburg, OECD.

Americas : Université de Montréal, Université du Québec à Montréal, HEC Montréal, Université de Laval, Washington University of St Louis, University del Norte Baranquilla, CONICET / National University of La Plata.

Asia : Tokyo University.

Africa : Witwatersrand University.

Coordinator and Principal Investigators 

Olivier Bargain
(Economics) Coordinator
François Ric
(Psychology) Principal investigator
Matthieu Clément
(Economics) Principal investigator
Jérôme Wittwer
(Economics & Public Health) Principal investigator
Olivier Herrbach
(Management) Principal investigator
Eri Kasagi
(Law) Principal investigator

Support Team

Maelys Soualhia
(scientific animation)
Laurette Grall
(financial management – research department)
Sylvie Roudier
(budget administration)
Sandrine Lacaze
(financial management - headquarters)